Anderson got the start in place of James Johnson who was held out of the game by Dwane Casey for what both men are calling an “internal matter.”

Casey said the move was as much about getting a good look at Anderson as it was about sending a message to Johnson.

Johnson, who politely declined to shed any more light on the situation, said it was a case of him “paying his dues.”

Johnson said he was unsure whether his debt had been paid.

“Whatever he thinks I deserve,” Johnson said. “I just have to deal with it like a man.”

Quote:

James Johnson, who has made 38 starts this year, was benched for an undisclosed reason the club said it was handling internally. Johnson played fewer than 21 minutes in each of his previous three outings. He has averaged almost 27 minutes per game as a starter this year.